The £100,000 Miniature Estimate: A Very Warhammer Calculation

The recent Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV “Back to War” in-engine trailer, which debuted at the PC Gaming Show: Tokyo Direct, has sparked intense excitement—and a surprisingly specific financial estimate—among the Warhammer community. Your estimate that £100,000’s worth of Warhammer miniatures were effectively “slain” in the roughly 90-second trailer highlights the fascinating, and often humorous, collision of the digital and tabletop worlds.

This figure, first posited by an analysis within the gaming media, is a direct commentary on the notoriously high cost of collecting and building a substantial Warhammer tabletop army. By visually calculating the sheer number of Space Marines, Orks, Necrons, and Adeptus Mechanicus units destroyed on screen and applying an average retail price per miniature (including large, expensive units like Dreadnoughts and Battlewagons), the six-figure total serves as a grimdark financial punchline that resonates deeply with tabletop veterans.

The Dawn of War 4 Trailer Analysis: Scale and Factions

The new trailer, which is entirely in-engine, showcases a return to the roots of the real-time strategy (RTS) series, focusing on large-scale battles, base building, and a revamped “Sync Kill” system that emphasizes brutal, close-quarters combat. The immense body count is a direct reflection of the scale the developer, King ART Games, is promising for the sequel.

The trailer prominently features four confirmed playable factions for the game’s launch, all contributing to the fictional carnage and the high estimated cost:

• Space Marines (Blood Ravens Chapter): Featuring modern Primaris Marines, including the popular, expensive Terminator and Eliminator units.
• Orks: Their massive, sprawling hordes and large vehicles like the Battlewagon make up a significant portion of the “slain” miniatures.
• Necrons: The skeletal metallic legions, known for their expensive vehicle and large construct models, are shown overwhelming the battlefield.
• Adeptus Mechanicus: Making their Dawn of War debut, their highly detailed and costly models, such as Skitarii troops and various construct units, are featured in the fray.

The development team has stated that the game will feature over 110 units and buildings across the four factions, underscoring the enormous scope of the digital armies, where every life is essentially a destroyed investment from the perspective of a tabletop hobbyist facing Games Workshop Pricing.